COMPANY NEWS; MONSANTO RECEIVES SUBPOENA FOR PRICING DOCUMENTS

Published: April 21, 2005

Monsanto, the world's biggest developer of genetically engineered crops, said the Illinois attorney general had subpoenaed information about pricing and licensing of gene-modified seeds. Some of the requested documents pertain to a 1999 federal antitrust lawsuit in which courts consistently ruled for Monsanto, a company spokeswoman, Lori Fisher, said. The suit contended that Monsanto conspired with other companies to manipulate some seed prices. Documents in that case are under court seal, Ms. Fisher said. Monsanto, which is based in St. Louis, licenses technology for seeds that can resist herbicides or pests.